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Colt cap&ball pistol

nevems2
Trying to identify an old Colt cap&ball pistol. Serial number is "282255" and is found on places on the pistol. On the top of the hexagon shapped barrel is stamped "Address Col Sam L Colt New-York US America". Also stamped on the Cylinder in a rectangular box is "US Patent" and in another rectangle on the cylinder is the patent number "2255". Stamped on the left side of the frame is "Colts Patent", on the upper rear portion of the trigger guard "31 Cat" and on the top front of the trigger guard is "P" The frame and trigger guard are brass or brass plated. There is no frame over the top of the cylinder.

Looking for any help in identifying, determining value and possibly selling the pistol.

Please reply to nevems2@ableweb.net

Thanks
Mike B

Mike B
0

Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    The revolver you describe "SEEMS" to be a Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver. "EXCEPT" the frames weren't made out of brass, and the barrel address appears to be wrong, ( Should be Small letter "L", after SAM ) Check it with a magnet to be sure.

    These revolvers were very popular in the mid 19th Century, "Civil War Era", Colt made over 325, 000 of them.

    Depending on condition, if your revolver is a authentic Colt, Flayderman values them between $475 & $1100.

    luger_4.jpg
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  • nmyers
    While it sounds like a cheap rip-off of a Colt, there's no way to tell much without seeing some high quality digital photos. Since you are looking for help selling it, taking photos should be your first step.

    If you want the written procedure for posting photos on this forum, send me an email.

    Neal
    0
  • nigelo
    Nothing in that description sounds like any sort of rip-off. It all adds up to a standard, 1-Line address Colt Pocket 49. Date of manufacture 1866.
    The L after SAM is easily mis-read if slightly worn. Its should be a small "L" (as rufe-snow says) with a further line under the L. The 31 CAL (not CAT) refers to the calibre, and was a mark added after 1862/3 on all pocket 49s from about serial # 235000.
    Having only the lst four digits of the serial on the cylinder is also correct for this period. The P on the trigger guard is an inspectors mark - also quite normal.
    Trigger guard is brass. I suspect by frame you mean grip or back straps, which are also brass. Both of these would originally have been silver plated, but its fairly rare to find one with very much of that left on. The frame itself is blued, case-hardened iron.
    Value depends very much on condition - but certainly likely to be under $1000.
    You can check more details on my web site - http://www.colt49.com/
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  • nevems2
    Address is a one line address. "L" is a small "L" with an underscore. New York is hyphenated. By "frame" I did mean the "grip or back straps"/ Checked out your site and agree with your assestment. Can only make out a little bit of the engraving on the cylinder, but do see 2 wagon wheels, so the complete engraving must have been the stagecoach robbery scene. Considering the rust, pitting and replaced screw I am guessing the value will be toward the lower end of the $500 -$900 range.

    Will get this information off to father-in-law in Birmingham and see if he wants to try selling it or just wants to put it back in the drawer. He is 92 and the pistol came to him from his uncle.

    Thanks for the info.
    Mike B

    quote:Originally posted by nigelo
    Nothing in that description sounds like any sort of rip-off. It all adds up to a standard, 1-Line address Colt Pocket 49. Date of manufacture 1866.
    The L after SAM is easily mis-read if slightly worn. Its should be a small "L" (as rufe-snow says) with a further line under the L. The 31 CAL (not CAT) refers to the calibre, and was a mark added after 1862/3 on all pocket 49s from about serial # 235000.
    Having only the lst four digits of the serial on the cylinder is also correct for this period. The P on the trigger guard is an inspectors mark - also quite normal.
    Trigger guard is brass. I suspect by frame you mean grip or back straps, which are also brass. Both of these would originally have been silver plated, but its fairly rare to find one with very much of that left on. The frame itself is blued, case-hardened iron.
    Value depends very much on condition - but certainly likely to be under $1000.
    You can check more details on my web site - http://www.colt49.com/


    Mike B
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